John Flanagan (b. 1944) is an Australian fantasy author best known for his children’s books. His best-known books are the novels in the fantasy-adventure Ranger’s Apprentice series (begun in 2005), which have fans of all ages from young reader to teen and adult. In 2015, Flanagan released the first book in the prequel series The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years, The Tournament at Gorlan. His other works include the newer Brotherband series, the Jesse Parker books, and The Grey Raider, written for adults in 2015. Flanagan lives in New South Wales with his wife.